Afterlife

Project Info

This sculptural sycamore table forms an integral part of the Afterlife artwork, creating a carefully modelled landscape in which almost 200 handcrafted amulets are individually displayed.

The installation reimagines the ancient tradition of the amulet through objects inspired by cultures from around the world and recreated using natural materials gathered from endangered landscapes and fragile ecosystems. The bespoke table responds to these themes through a sweeping, curvilinear form echoing riverbeds, geological strata and glacial erosion. Its undulating surface is sculpted with shallow hollows, each precisely shaped to cradle a specific amulet.

Sycamore was selected for its pale colour, fine grain and tactile warmth. Laminated from carefully prepared boards, the table combines structural stability with the flowing geometry required to create its large-scale sculptural form. Digital fabrication established the principal contours before extensive hand carving and finishing softened the surfaces, creating a topography reminiscent of naturally weathered landscapes.

Designed as a knock-down structure in eleven sections to allow installation within a historic Martello tower, it incorporates concealed steel framework and precision-engineered connections that enable repeated assembly without compromising form. The combination of craftsmanship and engineering allows the table to function simultaneously as sculptural object, architectural intervention, and highly practical exhibition structure.